A GB News guest has branded Andy Burnham “Starmer 2.0” amid rumours the Greater Manchester Mayor could be eyeing up a possible Westminster comeback.
Veteran journalist Carole Malone added Mr Burnham, who has spent almost a decade as mayor, was not “leadership material”.
It has been revealed Labour MP Andrew Gwynne is expected to stand down from his Greater Manchester seat after having struck a deal to trigger a by-election in Gordon & Denton.
Despite current obstacles in the Mayor’s way, it remains the first step in a potential return to SW1, fuelling Westminster tittle-tattle about the Prime Minister facing a leadership challenge.
On GB News, Mrs Malone did not take long to take aim at Mr Burnham’s character, blaming his charisma for his previous failures to head up the Labour Party in 2010 and 2017.
Ms Malone said: “He didn’t get it for a very good reason because he’s like Starmer 2.0, kept changing his position.
“All the time. And he’s the dullest diner.
“You know, he’s been able to have a decent career as a mayor in Manchester, which is fine, but he’s still not leadership material.”
Ms Malone took aim at Mr Burnham’s character
|
PA/GB NEWS
She added: “If he gives up the Mayoralty of Manchester and goes for the seat and loses, if the people of Gorton are so fed up with Labour that they vote Reform or whoever…
“And then his career really is finished because he can’t then limp back and do another duty.”
Meanwhile, journalist Judita DaSilva took a more tempered approach to the possible return of Mr Burnham. However, she admitted it could be “too much of a gamble”.
In the latest MRP poll from More in Common, Mr Gwynne’s constituency is projected to turn turquoise at the next election.
Mr Burnham stepped down as MP in 2017
|
PA
The pollsters projected Reform has 30 per cent of support in Gorton, while Labour is hot on its heels on 28 per cent.
Ms DaSilva told GB News: “I do see the value of Burnham. I think that is a bad move for him to give up the mayoralty because it’s too much of a gamble.
“What he should be is satisfied with the kind of powerbroker he could be for Westminster and for the Labour Party from the position he already occupies, because that whole design on power seems to be an infection.
“That’s right through the Labour Party, where everyone thinks they can do it.
“It’s not the same as being mayor. It’s very, very different. Keir Starmer has proven that, and the entire chaos in Labour proves that.”
Meanwhile, GB News host Miriam Cates added: “He also has much more experience of leadership. I mean, he actually was not particularly highly rated as a cabinet minister back in the Blair government.
“But he does have experience and that’s something that Labour are lacking.”
Mr Burnham previously served 17 years as an MP for Leigh, spending time as Health Secretary, Culture Secretary and Chief Secretary in the New Labour Governments.